A couple say they were forced to live in a tent after being evicted as pub tenants with only a week's notice.
Gemma Maverick and husband Nathan only took over The Wellington pub in Hale Village in mid-May, and moved into the accommodation provided with three of Gemma's children. However, after 10 weeks they were told to pack their bags and move out by pub chain Marston's.
The brewery said they were forced to act because the pub's takings were significantly down. The couple said they ended up living for two days in a tent at a farmer's field near Shrewsbury, while the three children who lived with them - aged 11, 13 and 15 - were scattered around various addresses.
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Gemma, 39, said: "We gave up a four-bedroom house in Wrexham we rented for a new start and a new life. We have worked our butts off but then were told by the brewery, 'we've got some bad news, you're being given notice.' We were given a week to clear out of the pub.
"Because we didn't have a chef, food sales weren't as good. But the beer sales were fine and we had events booked, including a Tom Jones tribute act and other bands coming in, along with karaoke and bingo. The Wellington is the heart of the village. I've been crying my eyes out for days."
Gemma also said they had received complaints from "two people in the village" about noise issues at the Town Lane pub, locally known as "the Welly."
While the couple were living in a tent, the three children Jared (15), Roman (13) and Willow (11) were each living at different addresses, two in the Shropshire area and one in Liverpool. The family have now been given emergency accommodation at a Travelodge hotel for a week.
The couple had previously run a music venue in Wrexham and said they also had experience running pubs. Gemma has a total of seven children and one grandson, while husband Nathan is a member of a Sex Pistols tribute band.
A spokesperson for Marston's said: "We are disappointed it didn't work out for the previous licensees at the Wellington. It is a popular pub and unfortunately it was not performing at the level we would expect and that it has traded in recent months. It is important for us that the pub reflects the vibrant community it serves.
"We never take these decisions lightly. However, in this instance it is the right decision for the Hale community and for us as the pub's owners. We agreed for the previous licensees to store their belongings and car on site whilst they secure new accommodation."
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